Williamson County medics to learn how to spot, rescue sex trafficking victims during conference

Williamson County medics and hospital representatives from Central Texas will learn more about how to deal with trafficking victims.

Author: Rebecca Flores

Published: 7:29 AM CST January 11, 2019

Updated: 7:48 AM CST January 11, 2019

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas — There are roughly 79,000 people in Texas who are victims of human trafficking and a special conference hopes to address that issue Friday.

Williamson County medics and hospital representatives from Central Texas will learn more about how to deal with trafficking victims. They'll also learn more about how to spot the victims so they can be rescued.

One group that helps victims of human trafficking in Texas is called the Refuge Ranch and it's based in Austin.

A representative with that group said the state is doing a lot to fund efforts to find traffickers, but it could do more to help victims after they've been rescued.

"This is a bit of an epidemic," said Steven Phoenix. "Texas has 79,000 young adults and minors being trafficked in the state of Texas, so on and off resources, lots of short-term houses have sprung up. But that's kid of a band aid. It helps them in the short term.

The conference will be at the North Campus for Williamson County EMS in Georgetown. It will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.